New from Prudential: Level Term Life to Age 65

Being physically active during pregnancy can have health benefits that go beyond shedding some extra baby weight, according to Reuters.

Beyond helping women gain less weight, exercise can also have positive effects on mood and insulin sensitivity, and can help women maintain their pre-pregnancy strength and figure.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Munich compared more than 1,000 women, some of who were assigned to exercise programs during pregnancy, while some were not. The women assigned to the active group engaged in vigorous activity like an hour of aerobics or biking three times a week from early on to chart the effects of exercise through the progression of the pregnancy.

While the study did not concretely prove that every woman who exercised during pregnancy would gain less weight, researchers found that the active group gained on average 1.3 less pounds than the sedate group.

Women who gain too much weight while pregnant often give birth to heavier babies that have a higher risk of becoming obese or developing diabetes, asthma and heart disease, according to U.S. News & World Report, all of which can lead to more expensive life insurance premiums.

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